Evia migrant toll climbs
Coast guard officers managed to bring ashore the bodies of eight illegal immigrants yesterday, bringing to 10 the known death toll after two boats smuggling people from Turkey ran aground off the island of Evia on Thursday. One body had been found on Thursday and three others spotted the same day. Harsh weather prevented officers from collecting the three, who were picked up with another five that were found yesterday. On Saturday, the body of another man was found. He was identified by fellow migrants as a 40-year-old Afghan. Ninety-seven people were detained in the two incidents, including two Turkish smugglers. The search for more victims continued. Yesterday, a Halkida court sentenced Serman Sari, 46, and Yusuf Esin, 25, to 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros each after convicting them of smuggling migrants. Police are looking for three Greeks believed to be involved.
